Spinning vehicle injures Iowa trooper helping stranded motorist

Harrison County (KWWL)-- An Iowa State Trooper is recovering Wednesday after he's injured while helping a motorist who had lost control of her vehicle and landed in the ditch.

The Iowa State Patrol issued a news release stating at 7:24am Wednesday, Trooper Tom Williams stopped near mile marker 74 along US 29 north of Council Bluffs after spotting a vehicle in the ditch. Trooper Williams parked his fully marked patrol car on the shoulder of the road and activated his emergency lights before exiting the vehicle.

The State Patrol said the Trooper Williams helped the woman of the stranded vehicle out of her car and the ditch and into his patrol car. Then Trooper Williams took a statement from a witness to the accident, who was parked just in front of the patrol car.

The news release states as Trooper Williams was returning to his car, an additional north bound vehicle spun out of control striking the rear of Trooper Williams' patrol vehicle and pushing it into the witness' vehicle. Trooper Williams was caught in between his patrol vehicle and the witness vehicle.

Trooper Williams suffered a broken leg which the State Patrol says will likely require surgery. The other drivers and passengers involved in this accident suffered minor injuries and were treated and released.

The State Patrol wants Iowans to know that working the interstates and highways of is a dangerous job. Iowa Troopers have a greater chance of being killed by a passing car while performing a traffic stop, than any other on-the-job duty they perform.

Motorists should operate their vehicle in a manner that helps ensure everyone's safety.

* Iowans should abide by Iowa's Move Over Law. When you see an emergency vehicle parked on the side of the road with its lights activated you should attempt to move to the lane furthest away. If you cannot, you must reduce your speed.

These small steps can have a huge impact on the safety of hundreds of law enforcement officers and emergency responders across the state.